Sithara Balakrishnan — Mohiniyattam & Bharatanatyam Artist

Sithara Balakrishnan in a Kerala kasavu saree

The Artist

A lifetime given to lasya.

Sithara Balakrishnan is a classical dancer, choreographer, educator and award-winning actor based in Trivandrum, Kerala.

She holds a Master's degree in Mohiniyattam earned under the legendary Padma Bhushan Guru Dr. Kanak Rele at the Nalanda Dance Research Centre, Mumbai, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Bharatanatyam. A certified 'A' grade artist of the Government of India, she has performed across the country and abroad — in the USA, UAE, New Zealand and Germany — at some of the most revered temples, sabhas and festivals of the tradition.

2023

KSNA Akademi Award

'A' grade

Artist · Govt. of India

4

Countries toured

Founder

Sitharas Performing Arts

Honours & Recognition

Titles earned across three decades.

2023 Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi

The Akademi Award for Mohiniyattam

2024

Best Actress — Drama

PremNazeer Samsthana Chalachithra Puraskaram, for Neelakuyil.

2014

Natya Kalai Choodamani

Ganamukunda Priya Sabha, Chennai.

2014

Bharathanatya Kalai Chemmal

South India Social & Cultural Academy, Chennai.

2015

Thourathrika

Kavalam School of Music.

1992–95

Kalathilakom

University of Kerala — winner & runner-up across four years.

The Art

Two classical languages of the body.

Kerala · Lasya

Mohiniyattam

The dance of the enchantress — slow, swaying, feminine grace, where every glance and gesture (abhinaya) tells a story in the Sopanam tradition of Kerala.

Tamil Nadu · Nritta

Bharatanatyam

Precise geometry, rhythm and pure movement — a Bachelor of Fine Arts discipline honed over a twelve-year diploma and years on the sabha stages of Chennai.

Trained in the lineage of her gurus

Dr. Kanak RelePadma Bhushan Kavalam Narayana PanickerPadma Bhushan Kalamandalam KshemavatiPadmasree A. LakshmanNatanamamani, Chennai Girija ChandranGuru Geetha Krishna KumarGuru

Gallery

Moments from the stage.

In costume · portrait

In character

The Devi series

A bolder register — thematic portrayals in flowing hair and saffron, where dance becomes theatre.

On Stage

From temple sanctum to the world stage.

On the world stage

Represented Kerala at the ITB, Berlin (International Tourism Börse)
Recitals across the USA & UAE
Tours to New Zealand & Germany
Govt. of Kerala PR feature, Bangalore

At Kerala's great temples

Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple — Murajapam & Alpasi Ulsavam
Guruvayoor Temple Festival
Attukal Bhagavathy — Ponkala Festival
Vadakkumnathan, Thrissur — Sivarathri

Sabhas & festivals

Soorya Festival & Onam Tourism Festival, Nishagandhi
Vipanchee & Brahmagana Sabha, Chennai
Margazhi Mahotsavam, Chennai
Gouri Festival, Palakkad · Kadavallur Anyonyam

Sitharas Performing Arts

Where the tradition is passed on.

Sithara founds and leads her own institution in Sasthamangalam, Trivandrum — training a new generation in Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam, from first steps to the full margam.

Get in touch

Invitations, performances & classes

sithukrishnan@gmail.com +91 77367 15484 'Karthika', Killiyar Gardens, Pippinmoodu–Mannammoola Road, Sasthamangalam, Trivandrum, Kerala, India